Clovis Unified has a plan for fall classes. What are the options for students, teachers?

Clovis Unified parents, staff, and students have a clearer idea of what the first day of the fall semester will look like on Monday.

All students will be doing some form of distance learning due to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s school guidelines prohibiting counties on the COVID-19 watchlist (including Fresno) from traditional in-person learning. Counties on the watchlist can re-open schools once cases have lowered and the county has spent 14 consecutive days off the list.

The Clovis plan to return to distance learning is a sharp turn from the original decision made during a July board meeting where elected officials unanimously voted to return to in-person classes, a decision which caused an outcry from some in the Clovis community.

“Your unanimous decision was to many of us a punch in the gut. It disregarded the health of your teachers and support staff who are your biggest assets and ignored scientific facts,” Clovis teacher Melissa Ferdinandsen said at Wednesday’s board meeting.

What students and parents can expect

Students at Clovis Unified, with an enrollment of about 40,000, have the choice between two models of instruction, Clovis Unified Connect, an online at-home learning system with curriculum aligned to state standards, and a “flexible online program.”

Students participating in Clovis Unified Connect will return to in-person learning as soon as restrictions are lifted. Students participating in the flexible option will be able to continue online distance learning even after restrictions have been lifted.

The flexible option is only available during the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year.

The two programs also differ in what educational options are available for students.

Clovis Unified Connect will follow a strict schedule. Instruction will be delivered in real-time through Zoom by Clovis Unified teachers.

The flexible online program will not offer all courses available through Clovis Unified. The curriculum is placed on a weekly basis, and students and parents will establish their own schedule.

The Center for Advanced Research and Technology program will only be available through Clovis Unified Connect.

Clovis Unified will offer some in-person instruction for Special Education and English Learner students who require more in-depth in-person learning. These will be one-on-one in limited amounts of time and following social distancing protocols.

Across the board, officials said, Clovis Unified has increased its PPE inventory and cleaning and disinfecting schedules and will abide by social distancing protocols to ensure the safety of students.

Facing educational inequities

Schools have drastically changed due to COVID-19. After schools shuttered in March, many parents expressed frustration in comments to the school board regarding how distance learning was handled during the spring semester.

During Wednesday’s presentation, officials said students experienced a loss of learning during the spring semester and are hoping to curb any loss of learning in the fall. Learning will be measured to ensure students stay on track.

The coronavirus has forced budget cuts to districts across the nation. Funding from the CARES Act allowed districts to purchase the necessary tools to safely and effectively implement distance learning.

Clovis Unified is receiving $29 million to cover necessary expenses such as PPE and technology services for students.

The district will provide hotspot internet access for students who do not have access to the internet and learning devices for students who need them.

Internet connectivity continues to be an issue across all districts.

Clovis Unified has 2,000 hotspots and has purchased 1,500 more. There are more than 33,000 devices available for distribution.

To ensure online safety, all Clovis Unified devices provided for students will only allow students to access online programs approved by the district.

Clovis Unified has received permission from the Fresno County Department of Health to allow some campus clubs to meet so long as they follow social distancing and small-group guidelines. However, it is still not permitted for school bands and choirs to meet and practice.

The district is working to open its child care center, Campus Club, for staff, Deputy Superintendent Norm Anderson said.

Criticism to the board

Elected officials and administrators received criticism during Wednesday’s meeting from teachers for the board’s decision to attempt to re-open schools. Teachers who spoke at the board meeting said they felt overlooked and that the safety and health of teachers and staff were being put in jeopardy.

“When you voted to go back to traditional school but publicly offered no way to confront the health challenges to confront the staff, it demotivated me more than any other time in my career. I lost my trust in you,” Clovis teacher Erin Garcia said.

Talks of a teachers union possibly forming at Clovis Unified have begun among teachers.

“Something happened in our processing it that there was a disconnect between what we were saying and what they heard, and I think we need to try harder in the future,” Trustee Ginny Hovsepian said Wednesday.

Teachers and staff have been provided with a 16-page health and safety plan, including protocols and resources for emotional support.

Updates

If there are late changes to the reopening plan, Clovis Unified will update its website. Classes begin Monday.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab on our website.

This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 11:46 AM.